Hybrid - Forced Vengeance by Greg Ballan Read Free Book Online Page A

Madame’s, had the small town feel that made it as much a place for people to meet and socialize as to do business. Janet Donnelly and Candia Cuddy spent as much time talking with their clients about personal interests as they did giving haircuts.
    The natural sunlight that filtered through the glass storefront gave the salon a warm and welcoming glow. Music, conversation and loud laughter poured out when he opened the door.
    Erik took a seat in the far corner and smirked at three sixteen-year-old boys who were sneaking peeks at the two hairdressers. Janet and Candia were both well developed and attractive. The two women had accumulated a near-cult following of teenage boys who came in regularly to admire the scenery and get a twelve-dollar trim.
    “Uh-oh!” a voice rang out. Janet leaned into Brianna. “Dad’s here kiddo. We’ll lose the hot pink tips for now, okay?”
    “Erik,” Candia began as she walked over to him. Erik rose, and she wrapped her arms around him in a friendly embrace. “How are you?”
    “I’m fine. You still look beautiful,” he answered. Candia hadn’t really changed all that much in the years that he’d known her. She still loved the figure-flattering clothing, which she filled out to perfection. They had found comfort in each other’s arms after his divorce. Candia had gone through a nasty breakup and they had leaned on each other through the difficult stretches.
    Candia smiled, then looked deep into his eyes. “Really, how are you doing?” she repeated, her tone searching for the truth.
    Erik shook his head as he whispered, “I’ve been better, a lot better.”
    “I know,” she said sympathetically. “You just have to give yourself time. Don’t be afraid to lean on your friends. That’s why we’re here.”
    “I do need something,” Erik said, diverting conversation away from the painful topic. “I need a decent haircut.”
    Candia laughed. “This is truly a historic moment. Erik Knight is finally going to part with his locks.”
    “Bri has been bugging me about being more progressive in my look.”
    “Well, then, Mr. Knight….” Candia gestured toward her salon chair. “Step into my office.”
    “Said the spider to the fly,” Erik finished as he seated himself.

    * * * *

    Over an hour had passed since Erik stepped into the Community Cuts Salon, and for twenty minutes of it Candia chastised Erik about his split ends and brittle hair. When Janet had put the finishing touches on his daughter’s style, she too joined in on what literally became a community cut. Every patron and stylist offered their opinion on what to do with the detective’s hair.
    Candia thought she could easily eliminate twenty inches while Janet and Brianna scoured through several fashion magazines. Diane, a regular patron, discovered the final hairstyle in a back issue of Forbes magazine. The two hairdressers cut Erik’s twenty-inch ponytail and placed the severed locks in a plastic bag. Not much more, and it was finished.
    In disbelief Erik studied his new look in the mirror. “Is that really me?”
    “Oh my God, Dad! You look awesome!” Brianna shrieked with enthusiasm.
    “GQ baby, GQ,” Janet added proudly.
    “I’ll give you that,” Erik agreed. He had never believed that he could look good in short hair, but the style the ladies chose for him seemed to suit him.
    “Another satisfied customer.” Candia smiled broadly as she admired their handiwork.

    * * * *

    Using the car’s make-up mirror, Brianna continuously adjusted her hair.
    “You look beautiful, munchkin. You’ll be breaking some hearts tonight.” Erik complimented his daughter sincerely.
    She gave him a pointed look. “No heart in particular just yet.”
    “Are you hungry?”
    “No, so why don’t we skip the BS and get right down to the heart of why you’re the one picking me up and not Mom?” she replied crisply.
    “Ah, daughter dearest,” Erik replied with a heavy sigh. “You have your mother’s knack for